An Excerpt from the Sermon Given on Septuagesima Sunday 1998 at St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland by the Late Most Reverend John T Cahoon, Jr, Metropolitan of the ACC and Rector of St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland
(The Gospel for Septuagesima is the parable of the workers in the vineyard from St. Matthew XX starting at Verse 1.)
The parable of the workers in the vineyard is not about labor economics, it is about salvation. At the most obvious level the parable means everybody's reward from God is the same no matter when he lets God into his life. You can't have more or less heaven, or more or less forgiveness, or more or less reconciliation to God.
In the parable, the people who worked the longest should have been glad, rather than resentful. They represent the people who have a relationship to God throughout their whole lives. If we really think friendship with God is a good thing, we shall want to have it as long as we can -- we won't think we are being victimized just because it is possible to get into heaven through a death-bed conversion.
St. Paul says that life is like a footrace. In a normal footrace, all of the contestants work hard and go into training, but only one of them can win. In the Christian race, everybody who makes it to the finish line is a winner. Is that fair?
He is trying to tell us that we need to train for the Christian race, even though victory in it is not only to the swift. The kind of training he means involves all the things the Prayer Book talks about -- weekly church attendance and praying and studying the Bible and giving money away and trying to help other people.
But at the same time St. Paul knows that no matter how much he trains himself and no matter how much he may do for God, if he doesn't hang on all the way until the end he will be lost, and he won't go to heaven. All his accomplishments will count for nothing if he has turned away from Christ at the end. It is all about getting there -- not about how you do it.
So what can we conclude? Try to get yourself straight with God as soon as you can so the blessings will start to flow. Don't be resentful toward other people who seem to have things easier than you do. Take Christian discipline seriously for the long haul -- so you will still be committed when you die.
Jesus reminds us, "Be faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life," and, "He that endureth until the end will be saved."
All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own
have we given thee
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday Services, 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM, & 11:15 AM (for online participation for the services go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland/ )
Sunday School, 10:30 AM
Wednesday at Noon – Holy Communion and anointing for healing
Monday, February 20, 7:30 PM, Vestry Meeting, undercroft
Tuesday February 21, Shrove Tuesday Evening Prayer Service 7 PM followed by pancake and champagne supper (soft drinks also available)
Ash Wednesday, February 22, Noon & 7:00 PM Services including Imposition of Ashes
Saturday, February 25, 8:30 AM, Men's Group in the undercroft with breakfast by Chef Claude Crump and Bible Study with Bob Boyd. Start the year off right with food, fellowship and Bible study with other men of the parish.
Donations to the Food Bank and Marih Center are greatly needed. Across the country, crisis pregnancy centers have been attacked or vandalized. Please help with either a goods donation or a monetary donation. You can give through the donation button in this newsletter and use the drop down menu to choose "Charity & Mercy." Thank you.
Food Donations
Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Christ House is very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar). Current needs include the following:
• canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
• peanut butter
• jelly
• tuna
• canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
• individual fruit cups (low sugar)
• canned fruit (low sugar)
• cereal (low sugar)
• pasta (regular and gluten-free)
• instant potatoes
• Macaroni & cheese kits
• Coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar
Just Updated List of Needs for MaRIH Center (crisis pregnancy center)
MaRIH Center with its all volunteer staff has been providing help to mothers-to-be and mothers in need. If you can provide some of the items that are needed, please do so. (You can leave the donations where the food for the food bank is collected on the pew in the undercorft.)
Especially Needed
Baby wipes* (an ongoing great need)
Diapers (sizes 1*, 2, 3*, 4, 5*, & 6*)
Diaper rash ointment*
Baby shampoo*
(Bold and * are a critical need.)
Clothing
Bibs
Clothing for boys and girls (0-6 months)
Sleep Sacks: Girls 0-6 mos.
Socks: Boy/Girl 2T
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St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland
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Alexandria, VA 22301-1625